Dramatic loss of strength

[BlueCorsair]

Recently, I hit about 19% in BF. It seemed all I was doing was putting on fat, instead of muscle, regardless of the cleanliness of diet, or how rigourous exercise is.

I've stopped taking creatine (I don't respond to it at all unless its one that gives a high GI spike) and I've started to cut back calories.

THe result has been a large drop in strength. I'm not a very large guy - at my 'peak' of strength (5'7, 168 lbs) I could only bench 200lbs about 6 times for my opening set, and drop (slightly) from there.

Now my bench has dropped to where I can only do one set of 170 lbs before having to drop the weight. I often can't even do a complete third set (six reps) at 155 pounds.

Now, I have been on anti-biotics for a month (bleh) and I am lacking creatine.

I just want to make sure that this drop in strength is... well, normal... and that I've not royally screwed the pooch somewhere. Can I still maintain lean mass and cut efficiently without lifting as heavy a weight as I was able to on a bulk?

May sound a silly question, but I've never had to cut before! Cheers!

 

[KarlW]

I been through this too. I been cutting for bout 8 weeks and initially lost a bit of strength. After seeing what cutting does for your physique the motivation comes back and somehow I started getting stronger again (past where I was b4). I know that sounds kinda impossible but it's true. You start not worrying too much about strength but are more driven by your improving bf levels. Anyhow, good luck with it.

 

[SlimShady]

....Now, I have been on anti-biotics for a month (bleh) and I am lacking creatine.....

I would say the anti-biotics are a part of the problem. I recentlly had the root canal from hell. I got an infection in my upper jaw and I've been on anti-biotics for over three weeks now. My strength has plummeted and I find it really hard to get my intensity level up at the gym. I just feel a little bit tired for no real reason at all. The infection is basically gone, but I am still finishing up the medicine.

 

[BlueCorsair]

thanks for the feedback guys...

yes, I just finished the meds myself - four weaks of double-strength apo-sulfatrim. That's probably a large part of the problem.

But hey, at least I know I'm not feeble because I'm lazy, cheers